Britten: Hymn to St Cecila & Other Choral Works (CD)

Having dazzled the critics (Choc de Classica, the German Record Critics’ Award) some 16 years earlier with their label debut featuring best-loved Twentieth Century English acapella works, the members of RIAS Kammerchor revisit one of their favourite composers, Benjamin Britten - this time, under the direction of the choir’s new chief conductor, Justin Doyle.

A perfect occasion to discover his new reading of the composer’s enchanting setting of poems written in honour of the patron saint of musicians by WH Auden (he would later rename them ‘Anthem for St. Cecilia’s Day [for Benjamin Britten]’), alongside other choral settings comprising this glorious album entirely devoted to Britain’s greatest Twentieth Century composer.

Five Flower Songs, op. 47Texts: Robert Herrick (1, 2), George Crabbe (3), John Clare (4), Anon. (5) 9. To Daffodils10. The Succession of the Four Sweet Months11. Marsh Flowers12. The Evening Primrose13. The Ballad of Green Broom